The Expectations of Patients with Diabetes-Related Visual Impairment: A Qualitative Study

Background: Patients with diabetes-related visual impairment (DRVI) have expectations of the health system ‎and nurses, which can have positive consequences if met. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the consequences of meeting the health expectations of patients with DRVI. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the content analysis approach from November 2020 - May 2021. The participants were ten patients with DRVI, two nurses, and one member of the patient s family. Data collection was done using semi-structured, in-depth, and face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling was done until data saturation. A total of 23 interviews were conducted with 13 participants. The conventional content analysis proposed by Graneheim and Lundman was used for data analysis. Microsoft Word 2016 and MAXQDA 2010 software were used to transcribe the interviews and manage and analyze the data. Results: Data analysis led to the extraction of the main category of improving access to comprehensive care and four categories, including receiving preventive care, access to home care, safety promotion, and increasing health literacy. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that including patients views can effectively improve the healthcare process. In order to ensure the satisfaction of patients with DRVI, healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, should examine the expectations of patients with DRVI to provide quality and patient-centered care that is based on their individual needs.